Exposure limit values
The exposure limit values from the Schedule to the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016 are given in table 1. These are legal limits on exposure.
Table 1 Exposure limit values for static magnetic fields (0Hz - <1Hz)
|
Exposure location
| Exposure limit values (T)
|
Sensory effects
|
Health effects
|
Head and trunk
| 2
| 8
|
Limbs
| 8
| 8
|
The sensory effects exposure limit values may be exceeded during a shift, provided that:
- they are exceeded only temporarily
- protection measures have been implemented that minimise, so far as is reasonably practicable, the sensory effects related to movement in the magnetic field
- adequate information is provided to the employee on the possibility of sensory effects occurring
- where any sensory effects are reported to the employer, the exposure assessment and the protection measures are updated where necessary.
Exposures must not exceed the health effects exposure limit values.
Action levels
The action levels from the Schedule to the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016 are given in table 2. Action levels are not legal limits. Instead they are a guide to the avoidance of indirect effects.
Table 2 Action levels for static magnetic fields
|
Potential indirect effect
| Action level (mT)
|
| Interference with active implanted medical devices | 0.5 (5 Gauss) |
| Attraction and projectile risk in the fringe field of high field strength sources (>100 mT,1000 Gauss) | 3 (30 Gauss)
|
